Vertellus to introduce technologies designed to enhance recycled plastics

Vertellus, an Indianapolis-based global supplier of additives to the plastics and polymer industries, will introduce two technologies designed to drive increased use of recycled polyester in nylon resins (creating alloys) and to enhance the benefits of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at NPE2018, May 7-11 in Orlando, Florida. By enabling new alloys and compounds containing these recycled resins to deliver improved properties and processability, Vertellus says its new additive solutions, which will be on display in Booth No. S10155, will help compounders and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) boost sustainability and control costs without sacrificing performance.

Vertellus will highlight a compatibilizer for creating alloys of recycled polyester and nylon. This technology enables new materials with performance properties similar to those of virgin nylon but with a significant cost advantage, the company says. “Key properties are excellent impact strength, tensile strength and flexural modulus,” according to Vertellus. Target applications for these polyester/nylon alloys include office furniture, sporting goods, automotive parts and textile fibers.

The company also will showcase a patent pending technology for upgrading recycled PET and, potentially, bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA). This new additive is expected to deliver higher clarity and better performance at lower dosages, Vertellus says.

The company says it also plans to discuss growing interest in enhanced co-polyester elastomers for high-performance automotive applications. Vertellus Morflex 1129 dimethyl isophthalate intermediate for synthesizing polyesters increases flexibility and structural strength to address these requirements, Vertellus says.

The Vertellus group of companies manufactures fine and specialty chemicals used in diverse applications, processes and market sectors, including agriculture, life sciences, industrial specialties, nutrition, personal care and plastics. The company employs more than 800 employees and maintains facilities in the U.S., United Kingdom, India and China.